Honey Production Optimized: Unveiling Stardew Valley's Cultivation Techniques
This Stardew Valley guide focuses on honey production, a profitable yet often overlooked artisan good. This guide is updated for version 1.6.
Bee House Construction
Honey is produced by bees housed in Bee Houses. The recipe unlocks at Farming Level 3, requiring:
- 40 Wood
- 8 Coal
- 1 Iron Bar
- 1 Maple Syrup
Bee Houses can also be obtained from the Fall Crops Bundle (Community Center) or the Mayor's Prize Counter. Place Bee Houses outdoors (not in the Greenhouse); they produce honey every 3-4 days (except winter). On Ginger Island, production is year-round. Moving a Bee House with an axe or pickaxe drops any ready honey.
Flowers and Honey Types
Without nearby flowers (within five tiles, including Garden Pots), Bee Houses produce Wild Honey (100g, 140g with Artisan profession). Nearby flowers change honey type and value. Harvesting flowers before honey collection reverts the honey to Wild Honey.
The Artisan profession (Farming Level 10) increases artisan good value by 40%. Honey prices (base and Artisan):
| Honey Type | Base Sell Price | Artisan Sell Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tulip Honey | 160g | 224g |
| Blue Jazz Honey | 200g | 280g |
| Sunflower Honey | 260g | 364g |
| Summer Spangle Honey | 280g | 392g |
| Poppy Honey | 380g | 532g |
| Fairy Rose Honey | 680g | 952g |
Flowers from Wild Seeds (e.g., Sweet Peas, Daffodils) yield Wild Honey.
Honey Uses
Higher-value honeys are best sold directly. Wild Honey and cheaper varieties have other uses:
- Mead: Honey in a Keg produces Mead (200g base, 280g with Artisan). Aging in a Cask increases quality and value (Silver: 250g/350g, Gold: 300g/420g, Iridium: 400g/560g). Honey type doesn't affect Mead value; use Wild Honey for maximum profit.
- Crafting: Wild Honey, Hardwood, and Fiber craft a Warp Totem: Farm (Farming Level 8).
- Community Center: Honey completes the Pantry's Artisan Bundle and some Fish Pond quests.
- Gifting: Honey is a Liked gift for most villagers (except Maru and Sebastian). Mead is also popular (avoid Penny, Sebastian, and children).
This comprehensive guide helps maximize honey production and profit in Stardew Valley. Remember to consider flower placement for optimal honey type and value.
